Field Hockey

Field Hockey Wins Conference Opener against Clark, 8-2

Sep 19, 2010

CAMBRIDGE, Mass.– Behind career days from Alex Wright and
Katie Kauffman, the MIT field hockey team won its New England
Women's and Men's Athletic Conference (NEWMAC) opener
over Clark University, 8-2, on Sunday afternoon. Wright tallied a
career best four goals while Kauffman set a new program record with
five assists to help the Engineers move to 6-1 on the season. Clark
falls to 4-2 (0-1 NEWMAC) with the loss.

Wright opened the scoring early, converting a penalty corner
pass from Kauffman just 5:11 into the game. It was the first goal
of her four-year career, having spent the majority of her time on
the back line of the Tech defense. Jessica Oleinik knocked home a
bouncing rebound just over five minutes later to give the Cardinal
and Gray a two-goal cushion.

Wright and Kameron Klauber found the back of the net within 30
seconds of each other just a few minutes later and Klauber added a
second marker, her team leading sixth of the season, with just
under 20 minutes remaining in the half.

The NEWMAC's leading scorer, Mel Melkonian, put the
Cougars on the board late in the frame on a feed from Katherine
Rowe.

Wright added her third and fourth goals in the second half and
Molly McShane found the scoring column for the first time this
season. Meghan Lennon capped the scoring with help from Erin
Murphy.

Kauffman was credited with an assist on all four of
Wright's goals and four of her five helpers came after she
started a penalty corner opportunity.

Melkonian, the reigning conference Rookie of the Year, now has
11 goals in 6 games on the season and is among the national leaders
in scoring.

The Engineers will be back in action on Wednesday, hosting
Nichols College in a rematch of the teams' 2010 NCAA
Tournament opening round contest. The game begins at 6:00 p.m. on
Jack Barry Field. Clark travels to Western New England College on
Thursday, September 23 for a 7:00 p.m. start.